Cannes 🎄 Christmas Market & Holiday Events

Cannes becomes even more lively around the holidays with the Christmas village and market, light shows, and many attractions that you and your kids will love.

The Christmas season in Cannes begins with the ceremonial lighting of the whole city. Moving figurines, displays, and various animations will illuminate in multiple locations in the city. Following this joyful inauguration is a lively ice-show. The impressive display of lights, figurines, cute teddy bears, and sparkly fir trees will definitely amaze your children as you take in the yuletide spirit.

In Esplanade Georges Pompidou, you can see and marvel at the largest animated Christmas tree in the French Riviera — 33 meters high!

A part of the celebration, rue d’Antibes will be closed to cars and open only for pedestrians on weekends in December, plus Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, from 2pm to 7pm. There will be music and Christmas carols playing from sound systems.

Important note about this holiday guide: Please make sure to double-check the official 2022 holiday itinerary and verify with the local tourism office or venue before going to an event. Make sure to also check our complete guide to spending your Christmas season holidays on the French Riviera.

Below are the main Christmas holiday events for Cannes, France:

Cannes Christmas Village and Market

The Christmas village and market has about 50 chalets selling food and handicrafts. It is a great place to find memorable gifts and have chestnut treats and mulled wine.

Two separate stalls are for the traditional Provençal crèche, or nativity scene depicting the Christmas traditions and the season with many traditional statuettes.

• Location: Allées de la Liberté Charles de Gaulle
• Timing and surrounding events: Check the official schedule, which should be updated regularly by the tourism board, as there may be last-minute changes.

The Canadian Christmas Village

Shows and entertainment in Canada: La Cabane à Sucre and taffy on snow tasting, plus musical entertainment from Canada.

• Location: La Bocca, Place du Marché
• Timing and surrounding events: Check the official schedule, which should be updated regularly by the tourism board, as there may be last-minute changes.

Ice-Skating Rink ⛸️

Show your best move and gracefulness on Cannes’s huge outdoor 400m2 natural ice-skating rink, which is open throughout December.

• Location: Christmas Village at Allées de la Liberté Charles de Gaulle
• Price: €3 per person, which includes skate rental. 45 min session. Gloves compulsory (not provided).
• Timing and surrounding events: Check the official schedule, which should be updated regularly by the tourism board, as there may be last-minute changes.

Meet Santa 🎅🏼

Ready to meet Santa? Find him in his cottage in the Christmas Village and take pictures with him! Elves, fairies, storytellers with cheerful and warm personalities will welcome and offer children workshops and tales on the Magic of Christmas. There will be many workshops (like makeup and balloon sculptures) to keep your kids busy. For a place to eat and sample the delicacies from the stalls, there will be a food corner nearby.

Santa will receive children in his chalet until December 24, 2021 and then will stroll on Avenue F. Tonner.

• Location: Christmas Village at Allées de la Liberté Charles de Gaulle
• Timing and surrounding events: Check the official schedule, which should be updated regularly by the tourism board, as there may be last-minute changes.

Christmas Parades

This year there is one parade, on Christmas Eve (December 24) at 3pm. It will have human performers lit up in lights and illuminated costumes.

Route: rue Meynadier, rue d’Antibes, Place Commandant Lamy, rue Hoche, Cours Félix Faure

The official description: “People from the Great Eternal Ice, borrowed from sweetness and wisdom, they sow to the four delicious winds and white flakes… Come and discover a magnificent fairytale, enchanting and illuminated show thanks to the participation of 17 stilt artists (king and queen of ice, fairies, sorcerer…). The procession with its beautiful costumes will gracefully wander to train you in the fairytale world of Christmas magic. Beautiful and happy surprises await you. Artists are equipped with star-shaped confetti launchers: projection of stars during the course.”

The Cannes Kid’s Funfair 🎡

While it’s not holiday-themed, next door to the Christmas village is the Kids Funfair. Experience the joy of the kids Funfair, with 50 stalls for food, rides, and games. Have fun on the slides, a small car circuit, haunted house, and many more!

• Location: Patiero Esplanade
• Timing and surrounding events: Check the official schedule, which should be updated regularly by the tourism board, as there may be last-minute changes.

Spend the Christmas Holiday Season in Cannes!

The perfect combination of cosmopolitan classics and traditional character, with the addition of the cheerful spirit of the holiday, is what makes Cannes an enjoyable Christmas destination and a beautiful place to celebrate the yuletide season! Double-check your plans with the Cannes tourism office, and their list of events, in case of changes.